Restoring Retro in Home and Dress

Hairstyle Tutorials

04/14/2016

After a week's delay because of a crazy schedule (this week hasn't been much better so far!) I finally got the pictures taken for the April tutorial. I'm super excited to share it with you because ever since I wrote the post on variety of 1940s hairstyles I have been doing more experimenting on myself. Call it practicing what you preach.

Lately I've been inspired by this photo.

A scarf is a wonderful retro hair accessory, and perfect for costume-worthy hairstyles. Plus they add such versatility and a nice dash of color! I'd like to show you three ways you can use a scarf to create different 1940s looks.

I realize that my hair is short and that is an assistance to creating vintage hairstyles, but at least parts of this hairstyle could be duplicated by ladies with longer hair, and hopefully it will be inspiring.

By the way, I'm extremely basic when it comes to hair supplies...shampoo and conditioner, sponge rollers, hairspray, brush and comb. To prepare for this hairstyle, I just took out my sponge curlers and did a very quick brush-through just to distribute the curls a bit. I did not brush the few curls on the top of my head on either side of the part.

Prep

The first step is to separate your front hair above each ear. You want a nice big section if possible but not too far back. I clipped the rest back for now, to keep it out of the way.

Then take the scarf and place it over your head, where the hair was separated. My scarf was about 1 1/2 yds long. I knotted it under my back hair to keep it in place for now.

There is a variety of ways to do the front hair. In the inspiration photo above, the lady wears two smooth rolls. That works, but I like to add a little more this time for myself. If you experiment, you can discover what you prefer.

Right Front

Starting on the right side of the head, take the separated front section and comb it through. If you want to have a few pin curls, do not comb them through (I kept a strand at the top in ringlet form for the pin curls).

To make my roll, I just wind the hair around two fingers and twist it against my head. Make sure the roll is over the head scarf.

Secure with bobby pins. You want as few pins as possible to make the hair secure, and they should be as invisible as possible.

Finished roll.

To add pin curls, I separated the ringlet strand that I saved out just under my part, and wrapped half of the strand at a time around my fingers to roll it up against my head.

Pin. The roll should keep these secure with just one bobby pin, if you can thrust the bobby pin through the pin curl into the roll.

First side done:

Left Front

For side number two, again I left the curls at the top and took only the side or longer portion of the separated section. Comb it out and make a roll like the first roll.

Try to make them even, if possible (mine rarely are! :-) Finished roll.

Hairspray and smooth both roll and curls. Frizz is a no-no for 1940s hairstyles!

I like the ringlet look on the top here, and it's certainly period correct. You could just pin the ringlets in place if you want and not comb them at all. This time though I wanted more of a wave, so I combed that section through and twisted the ends under.

Pin and hairspray.

Finished front. The scarf is quite secure because it is held on both sides by the rolls.

Back Hair

Now brush out the back hair. (If you have longer hair, a low bun would be a great way to deal with the back hair.) Don't brush it too much because you want defined curls, rather than waves.

Once you're satisfied with the brushing job, hairspray the top and smooth it down. You want it to be very smooth and the strands laying properly above the curls.

Scarf Look #1

Now the fun part comes, with the scarf! Of course the easiest thing to do is to knot it over one shoulder and let your hair hang over it. You'll see this a lot for casual costumes in the 1940s; often with a riding outfit or something similar.

Scarf Look #2

Or you can take the ends and cross them underneath your back hair...

...and tie the ends in a bow on top, making a ponytail. Don't make it too tight - you want a wide, loose ponytail, not a stranglehold. This is a great hairstyle for summer since it keeps your hair off your neck!

Scarf Look #3

The third way to use the scarf ends is this time cross the ends on top of your hair...

...bring them underneath, loosely knotting them once...

...and tie underneath. Let the ends hang like this...

...or tie it in a bow under your hair.

A super cute way to keep your hair out of the way for a busy or warm day!

Of course, you can always nestle a flower clip where the scarf crosses. Just for fun.

Just a note about authenticity, if you do wear a scarf in your hair that should usually take the place of a hat unless it's a sun-hat worn with a casual outfit. But it's perfect for house, beach, or picnic wear!

I hope you enjoyed this vintage hairstyling tutorial. Thanks for stopping by this month!

~Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, project journals, do-it-yourself vintage or alterations, etc.

07/11/2014

I enjoy the elegant look of hair nicely styled and draw endless inspiration from the 1940s and '50s, where women never went out of the house without their hair set in curls and every ripple in place. I love recreating these hairstyles for myself, but some days I just don't feel like sleeping on a head full of curlers. So I found this quick and super easy way to never go without curls again.

It honestly takes a minute. Less than a minute. Even at the end of a busy day, take a few seconds to do this to your hair and you will be grateful the next morning. Whether worn down or up, hair looks so much more well dressed when there aren't straight ends sticking out, and soft curls are so much easier to manage in general.

So here's how to get friendly hair every day.

Please note, my hair comes below my shoulder blades, has some natural wave to it and I don't use conditioner, which makes my hair limp or slippery.

You'll need:

1 or 2 large foam rollers (possibly more if your hair is very long or thick)

spray bottle with water

hairband

brush

1. Brush out your hair well.

2. Braid it for a few inches and secure with hairband, leaving a tail of 8-10 in.

3. Mist the unbraided part well with water. Place a curler against the hair, following the way the hair naturally curls...

...and roll it up to the base of the braid, where you secure it. I sometimes use a bobby pin as well if a strand of hair isn't laying smoothly over the roller.

If you have a lot of hair or it's shorter on the sides than in the middle, divide the unbraided part into 2 and use 2 rollers.

(If your hair is super long or thick, try dividing it into 2 braids and using 2 rollers at the end of each braid.)

I usually mist it again with water after the rollers are in.

And that's it! Sleep on it all night - I have never felt the slightest discomfort with mine, although if you aren't used to sleeping with your hair in a braid you may have some getting-used-to-it trouble.

The next day, take out the rollers and braid, and brush as thoroughly as you like.

The hair can be brushed smooth, curl in, around your fingers for that perfectly coifed 1940s style (although mine always flips around in the breeze of my movements), or twisted up, without the trouble of frizzy or protruding ends. The curl lasts all day without hairspray, at least in my hair. And anyway, even an ordinary ponytail or braid looks better with a curl at the end, right?

When I want a 1950s hairstyle or 1940s curls, I'll still set all my hair. But this is simple enough to do every day and makes morning hairstyles, whether retro or not, so much easier.

03/21/2014

Partly because March is craft month, and partly because of spring air or something that gave me lots of ideas, I'm doing a Tutorial Blast this month, with a new and different tutorial every week instead of just the first week of the month. Check back each week to see what's new! Week One: How to Make a Cottage Chic 1950s Gloveholder. Week Two: Dyeing Vintage Accessories. Week Three: Flat Overnight Curlers.

When you want a nice wave in your hair for a base for a retro hairstyle, here's a good way to do it. It's quick and easy, lasts all day, and is much more comfortable than rollers.

You won't get ringlets, but it's great for volume and '50s-inspired hairstyles.

I recommend starting with non-conditioned (non-slippery) hair.

You'll need:

spray bottle with water

lots of bobby pins

wide-bristle brush

satin sleeping cap (recommended)

1. Brush your hair out thoroughly, then dampen it with a spray bottle until it feels damp to the touch. If you are styling your front hair, do that first.

2. Then take about a 2 in. section of hair...

...and wrap it around 3 fingers of your other hand.

Turn it in toward your head, taking up any slack, and lay it flat against your head.

Bobby-pin it in place. I usually only need 3-4 bobby pins to secure a coil.

Continue with sections of hair around the back of your head, making sure to turn the coil on each side of your face the same way.

(I think they look like cinnamon buns!)

If you want tighter coils or have long hair, take up smaller sections of hair and wrap it around only 2 fingers. This will take more bobby pins. (It probably won't work with super long hair because of the coils needing to lay flat and dry overnight).

You want the coils to feel secure, but not have tons of pins in your hair because you'll be sleeping on it.

3. When all the hair is coiled flat against your head, dampen it well with the spray bottle until it feels actually wet.

And that's it! Wear the satin sleeping cap to bed (this helps stabilize the hairstyle and well as contain it if a coil comes undone during the night) and in the morning the coils should still be smooth. It's the most comfortable way to set your hair overnight because it's so flat.

Once you get all the bobby pins out, you can style it.

Unbrushed curls right after unpinning the coils.

Styling is the fun part. You can brush the curls around your fingers to make a page-boy look...

...or brush part way through the hair to let the curls stay in shape at the tips, and add Victory rolls or a few clips or whatever you want.

(Or use it for an updo that you need volume for. )

So there's a few easy steps to creating some comfortable curl for your retro hairstyles.

11/29/2013

This isn't a proper tutorial, just a few photos for your own inspiration...

Since my back hair is too long for a truly 1940s look, I always have to be creative about what I do with it. I found a quick roll to get it out of my way while working well for hats, and if my front hair is done right, can look very Period.

Do the front hair first and when it suits you, starting on the right side of your head, lift and roll the whole way around, picking up fresh sections as you go. Keep it nice and loose, as long as it feels secure.

Wrap the leftover tail across the top of your head and secure it on the other side with a barrette. Use bobby pins to keep ends in and add security. It stays well and frames the face. Plus, it's quick, especially for an updo! I also use a short comb on this roll. You want to tuck it well down so it's not visible, if possible.

So there's my version of a Retro Roll! Normally in movies when I see them wearing a roll like this it is done with short hair curled at the bottom and probably secured with bobby pins - like an upside down pageboy. But with longer hair you have to get the tail out of the way.

10/04/2013

Since
my August tutorial
I have given a lot of thought to the importance of styling the front
of your hair when doing vintage inspired or Period retro hairstyles.
Looking carefully at hairstyles in 1940s movies, I was convinced that
the true 1940s look is not the shoulder length curled back hair, but
how the front was styled. There are many ways to do it, since there
were many styles and techniques used – from the glamourous look to
a tumbled schoolgirl appeal.

Then when on a family trip out West, I needed to something else with my bangs
since the wind wouldn't let them hold a curl. I have hair of
different lengths – from 4-8 in. - on the top of my head, thanks to
growing out different parts of bangs at different times. That makes a
challenge for keeping the ends concealed! But when I came up with
this method, not only do I get a great retro look every day in just
minutes, I also don't need to hide my short ends!

It's not professional and probably isn't quite the way they used to do it, but it works and is quick and easy, which is the main thing!

Preparation

If you are already growing out bangs or have long bangs, it would
make a good foundation for this hairstyle. If you want to try it and
don't have anything cut on the top of your head, I'm not sure what to
recommend other than cutting deep bangs about down to your cheek
bones, and in a few places a little shorter.

I have lots of favorite things about doing my hair like this. It is
never the same every day, is perfect for styling anything from
Victorian to '40s and '50s styles, and like I said before, it takes
care of my short-ends-on-top-of-my-head problem!

So here is how it's done...

You will need:

bobby pins

wide-bristle brush

hairspray

spray bottle with water (if doing dry set)

1 in. curling iron (if doing wet set)

Hairstyle

There
are 3 ways to do this style – wet set (from right out of the
shower), damp set (out of the shower but dried a bit), and dry set
(the overnight way). But for all of them, take note: do not
use
conditioner on that part of your hair. The curls will fall out if
they are too silky. Even the 2-in-1 kinds of shampoo don't work for
me. I'll wash my hair with plain shampoo and use conditioner on the long back hair if needed

This is demonstrated the damp set way.

1. Decide if you want a center or side part. I wanted a deep side part
on the right side of my head, so I brushed it to the left,
fluffed it with my fingers and let it air dry until it was still
damp but not soaking wet.

(You'll notice my shirts change since I
started taking photos one day and finished another.)

2. Take a section of the short hair, about ½ to 1 in. section, and wrap it around your
finger.

3. Secure
with a bobby pin or two, right against your head. It's similar to my
1930s style,
only on the top of the head and with smaller rolls.

4. Keep doing steps 2-3.

You have to start from one side and work in sections across to the other side. The
hardest part is separating the short strands from the long! I
usually have 6-7 rolls of different sizes, and sometimes don't lay
them all the same way.

5. The end result:

It's nice that it's not nearly so noticeable as having curlers. It's
a subtle way to set your hair, and you can even answer the door if
you want to, without embarrassment.

6. By the time the rest of your hair is dry, the rolls should be too.
Take out the bobby pins. You'll have a bunch of loose curls on the
top of your head.

Now the fun part begins!

Styling

Letting the back hair for now, you can experiment with different looks.

You
can leave ringlets on your forehead and brush the rest back and up,
for a base for a 1890s hairstyle like Laura
Ingalls' timeperiod.

Using your wide-bristle brush, draw gently through the curls, brushing away from the part. For a
1940s style you want ripples on the front and a bunch of curls on the
side, so don't brush all the way through. You want smooth individual
ringlets at the ends of your hair. You can smooth them out later.

Here's an example of a finished 1940s hairstyle, using this front hair style.

Of course, the curls are easy to reshape for pin-curls like they wore
in the 1940s, too. Just twist one around your finger and it should curl into shape.

If you have a curl that won't stay where you want it, or a stray
strand, use a bobby pin to tuck it out of sight under the other
curls. I usually use a few even if my hair is behaving itself, just
to give it body.

For a 1950s style, brush all the way through – but lightly. You can
wear it high and rippled off your forehead...

...or push it down low on your forehead. Flip the back curls over to
reform them.

It's fun to play with the curls and get different styles.

When your front hair suits you, hairspray it lightly; then you can do
whatever you want with your back hair, knowing that when you are done
you'll have a very Period hairstyle, or even if you just pull it back
into a ponytail, your face is framed nicely.

So far even on windy days this style has worked well for me the last several months. Do check
it in the mirror occasionally throughout the day to make sure a
strand you missed isn't poking out, etc. Always if I miss a little strand when curling it's constantly out there on my forehead if I don't pin it back!

Today I went with the last style. Here's my finished style for the day.

Options

As I said earlier, there are 2 other ways to do it.

Dry Set:

I
have noticed that the dry set seems to be longest lasting and is my
favorite. I take a shower 4 times a week, and wash my hair each of
those days, so I dry set my hair on the evenings when I am not taking
a shower the next morning. To do this, you take your dry front hair
and curl it like in step 2 and 3. If you are working from a previous
set, just brush out your hair a bit to break the hairspray, then wrap
each individual curl. It only takes a few minutes. With a spray
bottle, make the rolls quite damp. They should feel wet to the touch.
By morning they will be dry and well curled for the day. Best of all,
you can sleep in total comfort, since the hair is all on the top of
your head and won't even be against the pillow unless you sleep with
your head under
the
pillow! Sometimes the bobby pins will slide around a little, but
usually this stays nice and tight even with a restless night.

Wet Set:

When you've come out of the shower, you can style it right away with
the help of a curling iron. Like in the damp set, take the sections
of hair and curl them with a curling iron. The curl will still be wet
and partly fall out – that's ok. While it's still hot, curl it
around your finger and set it against your head. The rolls will be
set by the time the rest of your hair is dry enough to comb.

After the Hairstyle

I've really enjoyed wearing hats since I've done my hair this way. Tilt hats don't work as well because if they go low on my forehead they tend to flatten my curls. But 1950s hats, almost all intended to sit on the top or back of the head, are perfect and the curls fill them out so nicely. I had to snap a few pictures of this style with 2 of my 1950s vintage hats.

Let me know if you try it!

Till next time:

~Kristen – Verity Vintage Studio

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, vintage themed, etc.

08/08/2013

I really like the look popular in the 1930s and early '40s with shorter, curled hair. But for those of us who have longer hair for other types of hairstyles and don't want to cut it, here is a mock-up 1930s style.

My hair is just past my shoulder blades. I don't know if this would work for hair longer than that. Let me know if you try it!

You will need:

lots of bobby pins that match your hair

hand mirror

hairspray

2 small barrettes (optional)

Preparation

Brush hair, dampen with a spraybottle if needed. Hair should not be really wet--you may need to experiement to find the best wetness. If it is too dry the bobby pins tend to slide out; if too wet it won't lay nicely. I like to do mine after it's been washed and is mostly dry. It's important too that your hair is not too slippery, so if you are preparing to do this hairstyle it might be best not to use conditioner the last time you wash your hair.

(Don't mind the clip - I just put it in to make sure the hair on the top of my head lays the right way.)

Hairstyle

1. Part hair in the middle on the back of your neck. You will work with one side first, then the other.

2. I always start on the right side. At the nape of the neck take about a 1 in. section of hair on the right side.

3. Slide your left hand up close to your head, and with your right hand wrap the section around your left hand's fingers. I wrap in a clockwise motion - I don't think it really matters which way you wrap as long as each one goes the same way.

4. When wrapped, tuck the end between the fingers of your left hand that are now through the wrapped curl.

5. With the fingers of your left hand that are holding the end, pull the end in and turn the roll closer to your head as you remove your fingers. Keep ahold of the roll until you pin it, though.

6. Slip a bobby pin in on each end of the roll against your head. The roll needs to be tight against your head, so use more bobby pins if necessary. Usually I just need to use one per each end of the roll. Complete roll:

7. For the next roll, take the next section of hair toward your right ear.

8. Complete this roll like the last one. When you pin it, make sure it is snug against the first one.

9. Continue doing the 2nd roll up the right side of your head until all the hair is used up.

10. Now on the other side, do the same thing.

11. Again, tuck the finished roll close to the last one when you bobby-pin it.

12. Keep doing this roll up the left side of your head until the hair is used up. The rolls may make "ridges" up the back of your head - you can bobby-pin these ridges down when you're done for a more historically accurate look of smooth-top head and a U of curls.

13. Now to finish it, check it in the mirror and catch any stray ends with bobby pins, or smooth a curl that looks rough. It's fairly easy to hide bobby pins in this style. Mist it with hairspray if needed - I've found this style stays very well even in the wind. Just check it occasionally throughout the day to make sure there are no loose ends sticking up. As you can see below, I need a bobby pin in the top right corner yet.

Side view:

You can use a barrette above each ear if desired to cluster back the curls - also a 1930s look.

(I know, my bangs aren't period correct! You can pin them back if desired.)

After the Hairstyle

What I like best about this hairstyle is that it goes with so many styles of hats! From 1930s hats...

To 1940s hats..

And even 1950s!

There is an added benefit to this hairstyle, too - a sort of a bonus! If you do this in the morning, by night you will have the loveliest pin-curl ringlets when you take out the bobby pins. It's perfect for setting your hair all day in an attractive, retro hairstyle, then having ringlets or waves for an evening hairdo. I'll share after photos when I have time.

So long till next month!

~Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, etc.